Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1898 — A SO-YEAR-OLD LIFE-SAVER. [ARTICLE]

A SO-YEAR-OLD LIFE-SAVER.

(ItranEe Old Samaritan of the Sea Who Lives on n Lonely Island. Peter W. Green, the governor of a group of three tiny islands of volcanic origin off the African coast in the South Atlantic, and geographically known as Tristan d’Acunha, is one of the most remarkable life-savers in the world, says the New York World. For 60 years and more he has made life-saving from shipwreck his business, having little else to do, as he expressed himself to a recent visitor, the captain of the English mail boat which touches at the islands once a year. Mr. Green is a native of England and now in his 90th year. At the age of 30, when sailing before the mast on a British vessel, he was wrecked near Tristan, and he and several companions were saved by the exertions of the natives. His friends, some time later, were taken on board a passing ship, but Green remained there and in the following year was nomihated governor of the islands because of his wisdom and the esteem in which he was held. The office he has held ever since, combining with it the duties of a clergyman and a doctor. Green has always been on the lookout for persons and ships in distress and he has saved many hundred lives from certain death on the rocky coast, the rescued ones being of all nationalities. The governor has received decorations and medals from almost every monarch in the world in recognition of his humane efforts. The United States government presented him with a handsome gold chronometer and chain. His own sovereign, Queen Victoria, sent him recently a most appropriate present — namely, a life-saving boat, with apparatus of the newest models. The islands which he governs contain only from 55 to 60 inhabitants, poor natives, whom Gov. Green has educated to be, like himself, Samaritans of the sea.